He added: 'I must be satisfied you're not withdrawing on false premise.'

He said that Harrop could argue he was victimised just for following common practice, but to win his case for unfair dismissal he would have to prove he had brought it up during his disciplinary hearing.

Mr Thompson said because Harrop had not raised these matters in the documents before the tribunal this session would have to be abandoned.

Harrop would then have to pay costs. Rehan Pasha, respondent on behalf of Grosvenor, said this would run into five figures. But Harrop would pay no costs if he agreed to drop the case.

After a short adjournment the former herd manager, now living in Pembrokeshire, withdrew.

* GROSVENOR Farms have declined to make any sort of rebuttal to the alle gations.

Spokeswoman Jane Sandars said: 'We will not be responding to any specific allegations he may make.

'Peter Harrop's employment contract was terminated on January 18, 2007, following a full and thorough investig ation.

'Mr Harrop made an application to the industrial tribunal and at the hearing was advised to withdraw his action.'